2016 United Nations General Assembly presidential election

Peter Thomson

2016 United Nations General Assembly Presidential Election was a significant event in the history of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), marking the election of the President for its 71st session. The election is an essential process within the UNGA, determining the leadership and setting the tone for the session's agenda and priorities.

Background

The United Nations General Assembly is one of the six principal organs of the United Nations (UN), tasked with deliberating, policymaking, and representation. Each of the 193 member states has equal representation in the UNGA. The presidency of the UNGA rotates annually between the five geographic groups: African States, Asian States, Eastern European States, Latin American and Caribbean States, and Western European and Other States. The President plays a crucial role in managing the General Assembly's sessions, ensuring the smooth conduct of debates, and overseeing the agenda.

Election Process

The election for the President of the UNGA follows a specific process outlined in the UN Charter and the Assembly's rules of procedure. Candidates are nominated by member states, usually from the geographic group scheduled to hold the presidency. The election is conducted by secret ballot, and the candidate who receives a majority of votes is declared the winner. There is no requirement for a two-thirds majority, making a simple majority sufficient for election.

2016 Election

In the 2016 election, the presidency was allocated to the Eastern European Group. The election took place during the 70th session of the UNGA. The process was marked by the principles of transparency and inclusivity, with member states encouraged to present their candidates well in advance.

Candidates

The main candidates for the 2016 UNGA presidency were from the Eastern European Group. However, specific details about the candidates, their campaigns, and endorsements are not provided here.

Outcome

The 2016 UNGA presidential election resulted in the election of Peter Thomson from Fiji, representing the Western European and Other States Group, contrary to the initial allocation to the Eastern European Group. This outcome highlighted the dynamic nature of UN elections and the importance of cross-regional support. Thomson's presidency focused on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), climate change, and ocean conservation.

Impact

The election of Peter Thomson brought renewed attention to issues such as climate action and sustainable development. His tenure was marked by initiatives aimed at mobilizing global efforts towards achieving the SDGs, particularly Goal 14, which focuses on conserving and sustainably using the oceans, seas, and marine resources.

See Also

• United Nations General Assembly
• Sustainable Development Goals
• Climate change